Mar-a-Lago raid revealed secret files thrown on the floor of Trump's office (Image: DOJ)
Special Counsel Jack Smith has accused Donald Trump of knowingly misleading his personal attorneys. Smith charged Trump with intentionally deceiving his counsel in the investigation into classified documents seized at Mar-a-Lago.
ABC News reported that U.S. Judge Beryl Howell wrote that lawyers under Smith made a “prima facie showing that the former president had committed criminal violations.”
“Prima facie” translates to “at first sight.” In legal terms, the statement suggests sufficient evidence of an alleged crime appears to exist.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the investigation.
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Judge Howell’s prima facie finding could force Trump’s attorney, Evan Corcoran, to comply with a grand jury subpoena. Effectively, Trump’s attorney-client privilege has been punctured by the decision.
Corcoran has been compelled to hand over invoices, handwritten notes and phone call transcripts with Trump. The judge found “sufficient” evidence that Trump “intentionally concealed” more classified documents from Corcoran.
“Shame on Fake News ABC for broadcasting ILLEGALLY LEAKED false allegations from a Never Trump, now former chief judge, against the Trump legal team,” a Trump spokesperson said. “The real story here, that Fake News ABC SHOULD be reporting on, is that prosecutors only attack lawyers when they have no case whatsoever.”
Trump’s lawyers are expected to appeal Judge Howell’s decision.
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